VANCOUVER / OTTAWA, Jan. 25, 2013 /CNW/ - Today, 70 of Canada's
Olympians, Paralympians, coaches and builders gathered in both
Vancouver and Ottawa to honoured with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond
Jubilee Medal. Recipients were awarded their medal by the Minister of
State (Sport), the Honourable Bal Gosal and Minister Gordon O'Connor,
Minister of State and Chief Government Whip.

"London 2012 was special for every single member of the Team and
receiving the Diamond Jubilee medal tells me that what we accomplished
is special in the eyes of those Canadians who cheered us on in London,"
said Olympic bronze-medallist swimmer, Brent Hayden, who was also
recently named to the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame, where Friday's event
took place. "Today is also a humbling reminder that athletes aren't
just doing this for ourselves; we're out there training and competing
for our communities and our country. What we do means a lot to
Canadians and this medal will be a reminder to all of us of the impact
that we can have."

"It's an amazing honour to receive a Diamond Jubilee medal," said Jason
Dunkerley, who won silver and bronze medals in athletics at the London
2012 Paralympic Games. "It's something that I'll look back at and
cherish for ever. I owe the chance to represent Canada and to medal in
London to the incredible support of the people around me -- my wife
Colleen, my guide runner Josh Karanja, my coach Ian Clark, family and
friends. I'd like to thank these people for being a part of this honour
and for supporting me to do something that I love."

"I was born in England shortly after Queen Elizabeth became Queen, and
attended her coronation in a pram!" said former Paralympic women's
wheelchair basketball coach Tim Frick. "Our family came to Canada in
1957 and since that time we have been grateful for the opportunities
and experiences we have received. To me, the Queen symbolizes loyalty
and service to our country and the Commonwealth, and I am proud to have
contributed to the Paralympic movement. The Jubilee medal is indeed an
impressive public honour, but to me it has extra special meaning on a
personal level."

"It is so wonderful to see this new generation of Canadian Olympians
being honoured like this," said Canadian Olympic Committee Board Member
and Olympic Silver Medallist, Charmaine Crooks. "It's such a pleasure
for me to be here with them as they're recognized for their incredible
efforts."

"With celebrations like this, we can see how Canada's Olympic athletes
are, more and more, having a real and recognized impact on our great
country," said Canadian Olympic Committee Immediate Past President and
Board Member, Michael Chambers. "I couldn't be more proud to be here
with them to celebrate this special day."

"I am sincerely proud and thrilled to be recognized with such a
significant award," said David Legg, President, Canadian Paralympic
Committee. "I have loved every minute of my association with the
Paralympic Movement and that is perhaps reward enough, however being
recognized with such luminaries is a distinct pleasure."

The Diamond Jubilee medals provide an opportunity to honour exceptional
Canadians for their contributions to their fellow citizens, communities
and country. During the year of celebrations, 60,000 deserving
Canadians from across the country and various walks of life will be
recognized.

The following were recipients today of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond
Jubilee Medal: